AMA presents former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg with “Hero” Award

(Former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (left) and AMA Vice President for Government Relations Wayne Allard.)

The AMA gave former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) its “Hero” award for his support of motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders while in office.

Rehberg was singled out for his extraordinary efforts during the two-year 112th Congress that ended late last year. Specifically, he was honored for his tireless efforts to exempt kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which had banned the sale of those vehicles.

Among other things, Rehberg introduced legislation to end the ban.

“Here again, a law meant to improve children's safety is actually being enforced in a way that puts kids in more danger than ever, while destroying jobs to boot,” Rehberg said of the ban at the time. “It's critical that we put to rest any confusion once and for all so kids can just get outside and ride. There's no excuse for continued bungling that only stops kids from using the very youth-sized off-road vehicles that are intended to keep them safe.”

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contained more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part. On Aug. 12, 2011, President Obama signed into law H.R. 2715 to exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles from the law.

“Rep. Rehberg deserves a lot of thanks for his efforts, not only for introducing legislation and speaking with his colleagues about the lead-law issue, but also for his support of the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb lobbying day,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “Families and their children came to Capitol Hill on that day to lobby their federal lawmakers, putting a human face on the issue. Rep. Rehberg was a tremendous help for that effort.”